Lucky Cheats put fresh spin on blues, rockabilly influences

In a way, they're blues traditionalists, though they certainly don't sound like it. Instead, the hard chargin' Lucky Cheats take a bevy of old school influences and give them a nouveau flavor, one that tastes especially sweet on a Saturday with a beer in hand. Guitarist Wade Braggs bellies up to the bar and breaks it down for us.

What do The Lucky Cheats sound like?

"Getting straight the hell down. We combine elements of blues, rockabilly, roots rock, Americana, etc. If you take classic Chess Records and classic Sun Records, it really doesn't get much better. We're not out to reinvent the wheel -- we're out to keep it rolling. But mostly, I'd say we sound like baby making music. If you've ever been disappointed by a 'blues' band that plays classic rock covers all night, we're here to help."

So, what makes you Cheats so lucky?

"Waking up breathing is a good start. Plus, we have yet to be caught. I would say that Old Spice 'swagger' and alcohol are prevalent contributing factors to our luck. Or, you could just ask the ladies."

You guys have clear blues and rockabilly influences, in a way you merge the two. What are some of their shared traits?

"They're both created with a raw emotion that is timeless. I'm sure heartbreak in 2009 feels the same way it did in 1949, just as lust, love and countless other human emotions do. I think The Blasters put it best when they called it 'American music.' These genres may get the message across a little differently, but it's the same message."

Your drummer, Joe Perv, is from Chicago, a blues hotbed. Does his background manifest itself in your music much?

"Good blues drummers are hard to find. Any time I meet a drummer who says, 'It's just blues, that's easy,' I know I'm looking at a drummer who couldn't lay a shuffle if his/her life depended on it. Finding someone that really understands the music is essential and Joe certainly does. Joe and I are both from Illinois, so I would say there are heavy Chicago influences in our music."

Staying on the same subject, what gives you the blues? And more importantly, what chases them away?

"Women, women. If you want to know more about us, come on out to a show and buy us a drink. You can't beat that deal."

See The Lucky Cheats at 10 p.m. Friday at King Tut's Pub & Poker, 6138 W. Charleston Blvd. Call 258-6344.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.